![]() | Member's News | No.51 September 2007 |
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WASHINGTON, DC - Sports medicine physicians, certified personal trainers
and other health professionals must live up to stringent anti-doping expectations
according to "principles of ethical behavior" announced today
by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the U.S. Anti-Doping
Agency (USADA).
The initiative takes a strong ethical stand against doping, particularly
as it relates to interaction, use, or prescription among ACSM members.
ACSM and USADA will begin a second phase of the program to establish a
national coalition with other organizations and sports governing bodies
to adopt these ethical standards. A planned third phase will encourage
licensing boards and other certifying organizations to include anti-doping
rules.
"Integrity is among the supreme values for athletes and for those
who train and treat them or sanction athletic events," said Robert
E. Sallis, M.D., FACSM, president of ACSM. "With this statement of
principles, ACSM members are pledging to uphold the integrity of their
practice with athletes and, in doing so, support the integrity of athletics
as a whole. We consider the adoption of these principles to be a big step
and we look forward to a continued and fruitful partnership with the U.S.
Anti-Doping Agency."
"In its mission, the United States Anti-Doping Agency acknowledges
the importance of ensuring the health of athletes as well as preserving
the well-being and integrity of sport," said Ralph W. Hale, M.D.,
chair of the USADA Board of Directors. "Every athlete is responsible
under the anti-doping rules for any violation involving his or her use
of a prohibited substance or method and can be sanctioned accordingly.
Those who advise them or assist with any unethical practices must also
be held accountable. We welcome the ACSM's commitment to ensuring that
its members, the sports medicine and exercise science professionals who
fulfill important roles in the care and training of athletes, adhere to
the highest professional standards."
The statement of principles of ethical behavior for ACSM
members reads:
Members and affiliates of the American College of Sports Medicine are
committed to the highest standards of conduct. As advocates for athletes'
health and performance, all ACSM members assume an obligation to train,
treat and support athletes with the highest ethical standards. Avoiding
inappropriate treatment of athletes as well as the appearance of inappropriate
treatment is of the utmost importance. I hereby affirm:
"Up to now the emphasis has been on athletes, and often on detection
and sanctions for doping rather than prevention," said Gary I. Wadler,
M.D., FACSM, an expert in doping and steroid use in sports. "Now
we're working to directly involve the professionals who work with the
athletes, emphasizing their professional education and responsibilities."
Other organizations commit to anti-doping statement
More than a dozen other organizations have endorsed a brief statement
committing them to the principles of drug-free sport. (See separate list
of endorsing organizations.) In coming weeks, ACSM and USADA will invite
endorsement by scores of organizations involved in medicine, sports governance
and sanctioning, health, fitness and other fields.
"It's gratifying to see so many front-line organizations sign on unequivocally to oppose doping," said Sallis. "This underscores the importance of integrity, fair competition and medically sound practices in sport." The American College of Sports Medicine is the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world. More than 20,000 international, national, and regional members are dedicated to advancing and integrating scientific research to provide educational and practical applications of exercise science and sports medicine.
The United States Anti-Doping Agency is responsible for the testing and
results management process for athletes in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic
Movement. USADA is equally dedicated to preserving the integrity of sport
through research initiatives and educational programs.
Contact
Dan Henkel
American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) USA Email: dhenkel@acsm.org ACSM Communications & Public Information Email: cdickey@acsm.org; rniehaus@acsm.org USADA Publications & Communications Email: coconnell@usantidoping.org ![]() http://www.icsspe.org/portal/index.php?w=1&z=5 |